Improvement in sewing-machine tables



2 Sheets--Sheet I.

a. P. D-RAPER.

Sewing-Machine Tables. No. 156,144. Patented on. 20,1874,

'wlmsscsz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE P. DRAPER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWING-MACHINE TABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 156, 144, dated October20, 1874; application filed May 19, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. DRAPER, of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Sewing-Machine Tables, of which the following is aspecification:

This invention relates to certain improvements in sewing-machine tablesin which the machine or operating mechanism is susceptible of beingfitted into a casing located beneath the table-top, whereby the machineis protected when not in use.

This invention consists in attacjain g the machine or base-plate thereofto the table proper by means of double-jointed reversible slidinghinges, which are so arranged and constructed that the machine may bewithdrawn from its closed case, pocket-chamber, or inclosure, and beturned into position for firmly supporting it upon the top surface ofthe table-top when in use, the base-plate of the machine being providedon its under side with a cleat, ribs, or projections, which rest uponthe top of the table, so as to serve in combination with the hinges asmeans for retaining the machine firmly in position when in operation.The in vention further consists in a novel construction of the case orpocket below the table-top, as will be hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of asewing-machine table, representing the machine in position for operationwith the supplementary or detachable cover removed. Fig. 2 is a similarview, showing the supplementary cover applied to the table for formingan extension-leaf, and the machine thrown back upon its hinges, alsoillustrating the double-jointed reversible hinges. Fig. 3 is atransverse section of the table with the supplementary cover inposition, and the machine within the closed case or pocket. Fig. 4is alongitudinal section of Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of theangle protector plates or clamps. Fig. 7 is a detached view of one formof hinge, while Fig. 8 is a modified form of a hinge adapted to slideupon its axis; and Fig. 9 1s a perspective view of a double reversiblehinge having a fixed axis or pintle.

Like letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in each figure.

The letter A designates the top of an ordinary sewing-machine table, andB is the framework, which may be of any of the usual skeleton' form orcabinet-case as now in use. The table-top is provided with an apertureor opening, 0, of such a form and size as to enable a sewing-machine oroperating mechanism to be swung beneath the table into a close case,pocket, chamber, or inclosure, D, provided for the reception thereof.The aperture or recess is by preference made much narrower, and at thesame time much longer, than the foundation or bed of the machine, theobject being to retain the greatest strength possible within thetable-top, and bring the bearings of the sides of the base of themachine closely together. Said pocket or casing is suspended or attachedto the under side of the top, at or about the back of the centerthereof, and is provided with a rearwardly and converging or recedingfront wall, and otherwise constructed and positioned so as not to occupyany space liable to interfere with the free movement of the limbs of theoperator. The rear wall of the pocket inclines downward in an obliquedirection, and terminates at the junction with the front wall, so as toform an inclined surface, which serves to support the machine when thesame is turned beneath the table-top. The base-plate E of the machinehas applied to its rear edge one or more suitable hinges, F, or a singlelarge hinge, if desirable, which hinges are jointed or connected at oneend to pintleplates at attached to or let into the under surface of thebase-plate F, their opposite ends turning upon a pintle-rod or axis, G,located beneath the table-top at the rear edge of the opening or edge ofthe machine. The hinges are thus jointed at both ends, thus, beingdoublejointed, reversible and sliding, so as to enable the machine to beturned in a backward, forward, and vertical direction, for set-' tingthe latter in position when required for use, and turning it beneath thetable-top into the closed casing, pocket, or chamber D beneath thetable-top. The pintle-rod or axis Gr is secured in position by eyes orkeepers b, or by any other suitable preferred means for holding the samein a fixed position.

When the machine is required for use, it is turned above the table-topin a rearward direction, as shown in Fig. 2, and is then brought in thetable-top. The hinge or hinges F may fit into notches or slots I cut inthe rear edge of the opening or recess in the table-top, so as to servein connection with the cleat and flange at the front edge as effectivemeans for firmly retaining the machine in position when it is inoperation.

The operation of folding the machine into its closed case or pocketbelow the table-top is performed by sliding the machine along the tableso as to clear the band-wheel and bridge-wall K, at the end of theclosed case or pocket D, below which the fiy-wheel of the machine islocated, when the machine 'is turned in a downward direction through theaperture in the table-top, and then, by turning the machine upon thehinges, the baseplate or bed is caused to rest upon the rear inclinedwall of the pocket D, with the machine portion disposed in the front ofthe case orpocket. The machine is moved to the right or leftlongitudinally over and ofi' from overthebandwheel, such result beingsecured by the employment of the double jointed reversible hinge orhinges, or by a construction of hinge or hinges, pivot or pivots, thatpossess a second joint or axis, 00, whereby the machine can be turnedup, as in Fig. 2, for the purpose of oiling, repairing, or adjusting ofthe running parts, and for passing the .machine over upon the table, soas to lap the bed or foundation of the machine over the edges of theaperture, and there hold the machine automatically and firmly when inoperation; and, further, such construction of hinge or pivot enablesmachines having irregularshaped bed'plates or bases to be hinged uponthe table-top.

In the present instance a portion of the aperture in the table-top isnot occupied by the machine when the same is arranged in its seat uponthe table-top, in proper relation to the band-wheel and bridge-wall ofthe case or pocket; and for closing this opening I provide a small coveror plate, L, which is fitted into the table-top after the machine hasbeenv placed in position for operation, this cover subserving thetwofold purpose of closing said opening, and, in a measure, of looking-or staying the machine, by preventing any or smooth surface, which doesnot differ in appearance from an ordinary table-top, thus rendering thesewing-machine table capable of being used as an ordinary table for suchpurposes where a smooth and unbroken surface is desirable; and, further,the union of a removable cover enables one to convert at pleasure ashort ordinary table or an extension table.

l The supplementary table-top M is provided at one end, and at both ofits sides, with pendent flanges or moldings N, which are grooved orrabbeted' on their inner side, so as p to slide on and embrace the edgesof the permanent top of the table. By this means the supplementary covercan be applied at the end of the table and moved upon the same manenttable-top, thus enhancing the appearance or finish of the table, whichlatter, it should be noted, is not altered or reorganized to receive thecover.

The supplementary cover is secured in position by means of angle platesor clamps 0, whichare applied to the under surface of the same at thesides where the moldings are located. Said angle-plates project in aninward direction beneath the'table-top proper, so as to bear against thesame, and for securing the supplementary cover in position upon the endof the table, as in Fig. 2, or over the entire top of the table, as inFig. 4. 'I provide one or more of said angle-plates with a. set orbinding screw, 1?, which is screwed against or into'a metallicfacing-plate on the under side of the table-top, and, in some instances,alock and key may be provided at the end or side for additionalsecurity.

I have above referred to the fact that the supplementary top is detachedand is removed when the machine is in use, but it may be also applied orretained in position at one end of the table, as shown in Fig. 2, so asto form anextension or leaf, for supporting work and for other uses. 7

I do not claim, broadly, the bed-plate of the operating mechanism of asewing-machine, constructed to be dropped into a casing or pocket belowthe table-top; nor do I claim, broadly, the base or bed of asewing-machine having a swinging and a sliding motion, in combinationwith a recessed sewing-machine table-top ;-but

What I claim is 1. In combination with the recessed base orbed plate ofa sewing-machine, a double-j ointed hinge or'hinges, constructed toslide upon or with their axes for moving the bed or base In testimonythat I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

GEO. P. DBAPER.

Witnesses:

JAMES L. NoRRIs, A. H. NoRRIs.

